Chapter 1: Historical, Cultural, And Scenic Resources

Vision:
The vast historic, cultural, and scenic resources of Shenandoah County shall continually be preserved, researched, documented, archived, and objectively interpreted, providing educational resources made readily available to the public.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
The county’s historical, cultural, and scenic resources play an important role in Shenandoah County being a great place to work, live, recreate, and thrive. Retaining and enhancing our community’s character and sense of place requires preservation and objective historically accurate interpretation of those resources.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 1 is organized into five goals to cover all aspects of our resources. It opens with a map depicting the historic, cultural, and scenic resources in our community from important landmarks to former roads and historic structures.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 1 was written balancing the importance of private property rights and preserving the county’s historical, cultural, and scenic resources. The intent in writing this chapter was to develop ways to support private landowners to restore and protect these valuable assets for future generations as once they’re lost, they’re lost forever. The chapter aims to maintain the unique character and beauty of the county while building on our local charm. By documenting and preserving these resources, the plan seeks to provide educational opportunities, support heritage tourism, and foster community pride. Additionally, the chapter focuses on protecting important landscapes and restoring historic buildings, learning from the ways our ancestors built and shaped our communities to ensure that these traditions and knowledge are passed down and appreciated. As you read this chapter, consider how the history of the county impacts you—from how old your home is, the views you see, the name of your local community, or your ancestors—as you are part of the county's living history.

Goal 1.1:
Information and educational opportunities will be readily available.

Goal 1.2:
The protection of important lands and landscapes as well as opportunities for public enjoyment of them will increase.

Goal 1.3:
Important historic buildings and structures will be renovated, restored, and protected and used as models for future development.

Goal 1.4:
Artifacts, archeological sites, and other historical and cultural assets will be protected for future generations.

Goal 1.5:
The County will be the destination for Heritage Tourism.

Chapter 2: Water Resources

Vision:
Shenandoah County will be a good steward by recognizing water is finite and will work to ensure good quality and quantity of this resource, while protecting its suitability/sustainability for all uses and healthy living aquatic ecosystems.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Through our plan, our County may allow and provide a safe and healthy place to live, work and recreate in, on or around water while also providing healthy water to drink and consume, whether in the towns or rural areas.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 2 is organized in five goals to cover various aspects of water resources. It begins with a map showing an overview of the county’s water resources, including streams and their impairment sources, wetlands, dam break inundation areas, and public access sites.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 2 was written to address the critical importance of water resources, balancing the need for water quality and quantity with sustainable use and protection. The intent in writing this chapter was to develop strategies that support both public and private efforts to manage and conserve water resources for future generations. This includes protecting surface and groundwater, ensuring sustainable water use, and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. By documenting and preserving these resources, the plan seeks to provide educational opportunities, support environmental stewardship, and foster community involvement. Additionally, the chapter focuses on innovative water management practices and infrastructure improvements to ensure resilience against droughts and floods. As you read this chapter, consider how water impacts your daily life—from the water you drink, to the rivers you enjoy, to the role of water in our local agriculture and industry—as we all play a part in protecting this vital resource.

Goal 2.1:
Groundwater resources will be protected.

Goal 2.2:
Surface water resources will be protected.

Goal 2.3:
Our infrastructure will support adequate recreation and consumption of water.

Goal 2.4:
Information on the water resources of the County will be readily available.

Goal 2.5:
Resilient planning for emergencies.

Chapter 3: Agricultural, Forestal, And Geological Resources

Vision:
Shenandoah County will be a good steward by placing a high priority on protecting and properly utilizing its agricultural, forestal, and geological resources, recognizing the irreplaceable value they have both intrinsically and economically for this county.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Shenandoah County is a primarily rural and agricultural county by design. We will continue to promote prosperous and efficient means of growth in agricultural and forestal dynamics while maintaining a proper balance of its natural geological resources.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 3 is organized into four goals addressing agricultural, forestal, and geological resources. Each goal opens with an associated map showing an overview of that section's related resources from soils to caves or wildlife corridors.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 3 was written to highlight the importance of balancing the protection and use of agricultural, forestal, and geological resources. The intent behind this chapter is to support sustainable practices that benefit both private landowners and the community. This includes promoting productive agricultural lands, protecting forests from conversion, and responsibly utilizing geological resources. The chapter aims to maintain the county’s rural character and ensure the long-term viability of these resources. By documenting and preserving these areas, the plan seeks to provide educational opportunities, support local economies, and foster environmental stewardship. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the need to protect wildlife habitats, manage invasive species, and encourage sustainable agricultural practices. As you read this chapter, consider how these resources impact your daily life—from the food you eat, the forests you enjoy, to the geological features that shape our landscape—as you are part of the county's living heritage as people and the next generation are our greatest agricultural resources.

Goal 3.1:
Agriculture as a way of life and its activities will continue to thrive sustainably and efficiently.

Goal 3.2:
Protect forested areas throughout the county from conversion to other uses.

Goal 3.3:
Geological resources will be balanced between use and preservation.

Goal 3.4:
Wildlife will be protected for enjoyment and hunting for future generations and sustainable ecosystems.

Chapter 4: Economic Development

Vision:
A comprehensive and collaborative partnership among all public and private local, regional, and statewide economic development entities to provide current and future Shenandoah County businesses an environment to thrive and grow; and to ensure current and future County residents with the opportunity to benefit from economic growth through personal gain and enhanced quality of life.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Maintain the rural integrity of Shenandoah County while ensuring it as a great place to work through the development of creative workforce development opportunities and supporting existing local and future target industry and business sectors including the growth of agribusiness.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 4 is organized around five goals to foster economic development in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing main streets, mixed use Towns/Villages/Hamlets and areas for business/industry including zoned areas, strategic sites with utilities, and long-range sites.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 4 was written to support balanced economic growth that benefits both businesses and the community. The intent of this chapter is to develop strategies that encourage entrepreneurship, attract new industries, and support existing businesses. This includes enhancing workforce development, improving infrastructure, and fostering a welcoming environment for businesses to thrive. One of the key goals is to make downtowns the most active, profitable, and invested-in areas, recognizing them as economic engines. The chapter aims to create a strong economic foundation that maintains the county’s rural charm while promoting job creation and sustainable development. By documenting and implementing these strategies, the plan seeks to provide educational opportunities, support small business growth, and foster community pride. As you read this chapter, consider how economic development impacts your daily life—from job opportunities and local businesses to the services and amenities available in your community—as we all contribute to the county’s economic vitality.

Goal 4.1:
Students and the local workforce will have the opportunity to be prepared for well-paid employment or further training/education.

Goal 4.2:
We will be the destination for agribusiness, hospitality, and tourism opportunities.

Goal 4.3:
Attract and retain key target industries and businesses.

Goal 4.4:
Foster a welcoming environment that will attract and retain employment opportunities and capital investment.

Goal 4.5:
Downtowns will be the most active, profitable, and invested-in areas for small businesses.

Chapter 5: Housing

Vision:
Everyone has access to adequate housing.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Access to adequate housing across all population demographics (such as age, disability or mobility issues, location, employment and income) within the county is essential to having a life-long home for all residents to achieve the vision of a unique place to live and a great place to work.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 5 is organized around five goals aimed at improving housing availability, affordability, and quality in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing areas for the Transfer of Development Rights which allows farms to sell housing rights to Towns/Villages/Hamlets.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 5 was written to address the critical need for diverse and affordable housing options while preserving our rural open and working lands through focusing investment to our Towns, Villages, and Hamlets. The intent of this chapter is to develop strategies that support both the creation of new housing and the improvement of the existing housing stock. This includes promoting a mixture of housing types, removing barriers to affordability, and ensuring housing for all ages. The chapter also aims to prevent individuals from becoming unhoused and support quality low-income housing. Efforts are made to save historic buildings and utilize vacant ones, emphasizing the importance of locally driven redevelopment and building off our historic character and charm. As you read this chapter, consider how housing impacts your daily life—from the affordability and condition of your home, whether your friends and family can afford to live here, or if the firefighter or teacher has options available for them to afford—as we all play a role in Shenandoah County’s housing.

Goal 5.1:
Information on affordable housing and housing overall will be made publicly available.

Goal 5.2:
Housing will be equally available to all income levels, ages, and backgrounds.

Goal 5.3:
Residential growth will occur in the towns, villages, and hamlets per the Future Land Use Map.

Goal 5.4:
All residents should have decent, safe, and sanitary housing in good repair.

Goal 5.5:
Encourage preservation of historic buildings and utilize vacant ones.

Chapter 6: Community Services and Facilities

Vision:
County residents shall have easy access to community services and facilities – in person or online – in order to satisfy their personal, family, or business needs.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Community services are a major element in day-to-day living in the County, where residents use or interact with community services and/or use community facilities in their normal routines every day. Making certain they have access to those resources – in person or online – is vital to ensuring the County is a great place to live and work.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 6 is organized into five goals that focus on improving community services and facilities throughout Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing the level of service coverage across the County for post offices, grocery stores, libraries, and convenience sites.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 6 was written to address the essential needs of community services and facilities, balancing accessibility and quality. The intent in writing this chapter was to develop strategies that support the maintenance and improvement of public services, such as libraries, waste management, and community centers. Shenandoah County may be small and rural, but it is overseen by an engaged and active county government which endeavors to bring needed services to all its residents. That means investing in technology, like an interactive website, and attracting or recruiting businesses to round out the community’s quality of life with more grocery stores and recreation opportunities. The county will do this by hiring the appropriate staff to upgrade county operations and expand research and strategic planning among its departments. As you read this chapter, consider how access to services like libraries, trash disposal, and public spaces impacts your daily life and contributes to the overall well-being of Shenandoah County.

Goal 6.1:
Public information will be clearly shared with and be accessible to all the public.

Goal 6.2:
Our communities will have robust Capital Improvement and Service Improvement Plans and will use a diverse range of funding sources.

Goal 6.3:
Support and encourage/recruit services that benefit the public.

Goal 6.4:
Provide quality trash and recycling services throughout the County.

Goal 6.5:
There will be library services and public or privately owned semi-public gathering spaces in every Town and village.

Chapter 7: Education

Vision:
All residents will have the chance to attain a well-rounded education that encompasses applied learning and performance skills to ensure fulfilling careers and contribute to the civic and economic progress of our community.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Supplying appropriate educational facilities will ensure the County can provide all levels of education to develop skills within our community. Further, by providing quality educational opportunities we can assure that the County may be a great place to live and work.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 7 is organized around five goals aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and facilities in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing current district boundaries, areas within 17 minutes of schools, and Town service areas as general potential future school sites.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 7 was written to ensure all residents have access to quality education, from early childhood through adulthood. The intent of this chapter is to develop strategies that support the modernization of educational facilities, the professional development of educators, and the expansion of vocational and technical training. The chapter emphasizes the importance of public education in fostering a well-rounded, skilled workforce. Shenandoah County may be small and rural, but it is overseen by an engaged and active county government dedicated to bringing educational excellence to all its residents. This involves investing in modern facilities, incorporating technology in the classroom, and building partnerships with local businesses to enhance learning opportunities. As you read this chapter, consider how education impacts your daily life—from the skills you acquire to the opportunities available—as we all contribute to the county’s educational success.

Goal 7.1:
All public education facilities will be up to date and have adequate space and equipment.

Goal 7.2:
Support our educators to ensure our residents continue to have access to quality instructors and staff.

Goal 7.3:
We will support and promote the arts in all its forms and provide high-quality arts education opportunities for all residents.

Goal 7.4:
We will support and promote technical, vocational, and critical education and training opportunities for all residents.

Goal 7.5:
We will provide a strong foundation for all students by supporting education at a young age in Shenandoah County.

Chapter 8: Health Care

Vision:
County residents will have access to affordable health care through a combination of private and public providers but where services are scarce, emergency services will be no less than 15 minutes away.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Health care is central to residents’ quality of life. Good health care reflects the Comprehensive Plan’s call for “policies and public services that enhance the quality of life” and provides the building blocks to a well-trained workforce and stable community.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 8 is organized into five goals aimed at improving health care accessibility and quality in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing the location of medical facilities and areas within 15 minutes of them to highlight areas to promote investment.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 8 was written to prioritize the health and well-being of Shenandoah County residents, recognizing the need for accessible and affordable health care. Though the county does not own or operate its own health facilities, it partners closely with local health care providers, from health systems to independent practitioners. The intent in writing this chapter was to develop strategies that ensure residents have cradle-to-grave health options at accessible locations and affordable prices. The chapter aims to support physical and mental health, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with health care providers to deliver comprehensive services, including birthing services and nursing home care. In the next 25 years, families who live in Shenandoah County will be able to take care of all their health care needs within the county. As you read this chapter, consider how health services impact your daily life—from the availability of nearby clinics to the quality of care at local hospitals—as we work together to ensure the health of our community.

Goal 8.1:
The County will be known for its healthy lifestyle.

Goal 8.2:
Children will grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments.

Goal 8.3:
Critical medical services will be available 24/7.

Goal 8.4:
Access to medical care will be accessible and affordable to all.

Goal 8.5:
Mental health services are readily available, including those for addiction services.

Chapter 9: Emergency Services, Infrastructure, and Technology

Vision:
Provide an integrated, responsive, and secure technology environment that advances and supports exceptional county services, support, innovation, and resident care.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
Reliable and effective emergency services, infrastructure, and technology are necessary to protect our constituents and conserve local environmental, recreational, and cultural resources. An interconnected and modern infrastructure promotes private and public collaboration.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 9 is organized into goals that focus on enhancing emergency services, infrastructure, and technology in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing service areas, telecommunication towers, transmission lines, and areas being invested in for broadband.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 9 was written to address the critical need for advanced emergency services and modern infrastructure. The intent of this chapter is to develop strategies that ensure the county is prepared for various emergencies while leveraging technology to improve overall service delivery. This includes investing in state-of-the-art equipment for fire and rescue services, enhancing law enforcement capabilities, and ensuring robust communication networks. The chapter also aims to foster public-private partnerships to drive technological innovation. In the next 25 years, Shenandoah County plans to build a resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters and technological challenges, positioning itself as a leader in emergency preparedness and technological integration. As you read this chapter, consider how emergency services and infrastructure impact your daily life—from the reliability of first responders to the effectiveness of communication networks—as we all benefit from a secure and well-prepared community.

Goal 9.1:
Shenandoah County may lead the State in the adoption and implementation of 4th Industrial Revolution Technologies.

Goal 9.2:
We will invest in infrastructure for the 22nd century.

Goal 9.3:
Fire and Rescue Services will be the best in the State.

Goal 9.4:
Law Enforcement Services will be the best in the State.

Goal 9.5:
The County will aspire to be carbon neutral.

Chapter 10: Recreation

Vision:
Access to natural resources for recreational pursuits shall be sustained and expanded.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
To improve and enhance the quality of life a robust menu of recreational opportunities should be part of services provided to residents and visitors. Whether outdoors or indoor recreation facilities, recreation is a reason people enjoy living in and visiting Shenandoah County.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 10 is organized into five goals that focus on expanding and improving recreational opportunities in Shenandoah County. It begins with a map showing the National, State, and local parks, recreation areas, water access sites, and trails and potential areas for new trails.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 10 was written to enhance recreational opportunities, contributing to the overall quality of life for residents. The intent of this chapter is to develop diverse recreational facilities and programs that serve all community members. This includes building new recreation centers with public pools and enhancing existing facilities. A vibrant county means offering various entertainment opportunities, ensuring residents can enjoy both work and leisure here. The establishment of a regional trail is a key goal, promising significant economic benefits from businesses catering to its users. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes creating engaging outdoor activities, promoting health and wellness, and fostering community pride. As you read this chapter, consider how recreational opportunities impact your daily life—from enjoying local parks and trails to participating in sports and fitness activities—as we all contribute to making Shenandoah County a lively and enjoyable place to live.

Goal 10.1:
There will be indoor recreation centers for public use.

Goal 10.2:
There will be a system of interconnected trails and parks throughout the County that are accessible to all.

Goal 10.3:
The most popular regional trail in the State.

Goal 10.4:
The North Fork will be healthy, free of contamination and support interconnected swimming, boating, and fishing access throughout.

Goal 10.5:
The County will be an attractive and safe place for all residents and tourists alike to visit and recreate.

Chapter 11: Transportation

Vision:
Residents will have quality transportation systems that are safe, efficient, and modern systems built for the 22nd century.

Relationship Of The Vision To The Comprehensive Plan:
To be a great place to live and work we will have a multimodal transportation system that supports our rural character for decades to come. To achieve this, we will be responsible stewards in our transportation investments by collaborating with private and public partners.

Chapter Organization:
Chapter 11 is organized into five goals that aim to improve transportation infrastructure and services throughout Shenandoah County. It begins with maps showing the existing infrastructure then provides information on the Virginia Six Year Improvement Plan. The Chapter provides assumptions and metrics to help identify the improvement needs in the community including safety areas identified by VDOT and highly traveled areas. The Chapter outlines priority improvements for the first ten years then breaks into the five goals with associated maps.

Summary Of The Chapter:
Chapter 11 was written to address the critical need for a comprehensive and connected transportation network. The intent of this chapter is to develop strategies that enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility for all residents. This includes creating an interconnected system of pedestrian and bike networks, supporting tourism and economic development through improved transportation, and promoting shared transportation options. The county aims to maintain its rural charm while ensuring that transportation infrastructure meets modern standards. By documenting and implementing these strategies, the plan seeks to enhance the quality of life, support local businesses, and foster community engagement. As you read this chapter, consider how transportation impacts your daily life—from the safety of your commute to the convenience of public transit—as we all contribute to the county’s transportation future.

Goal 11.1:
There will be safe roads for all users with less congestion.

Goal 11.2:
There will be an interconnected system of safe pedestrian and bike networks throughout the County.

Goal 11.3:
Street systems will be complete, safe, and connected for all.

Goal 11.4:
Our transportation system will support tourism and economic development.

Goal 11.5:
Shared transportation will be a viable option for traveling around and through the County.